(63) THE EFFECTS OF BRAND-SPECIFIC HEMP-DERIVED CANNABIDIOL ON PSYCHOMETRICS IN HEALTHY ADULT MALES AND FEMALES OVER 12 WEEKS

INTRODUCTION: The Cannabis sativa plant contains several phyto-cannabinoids, among which Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most widely known. Although CBD is not a strong agonist of cannabinoid receptors and lacks psychotropic activity, it interacts with several other target sites, leading to its potential pharmacological properties. The sedative effects of CBD, as well as its agonistic effect on serotonin (5-HT3 receptors), lead to anxiolytic and sleep-inducing properties. There is scientific consensus that THC can be effective in treating chronic pain, little is known about the pain-relieving properties of products containing CBD, nor has this work been done in healthy populations.

PURPOSE: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study aimed to assess the sex-specific psychometric effects of CBD consumption over 12 weeks in healthy adults.



Methods: 27 healthy males (age=24 ± 5y; BMI=26.1 ± 2.7 kg/m²) and 27 females (24 ± 8y; BMI=23.7 ± 3.4 kg/m²) completed this study. Participants arrived at the laboratory after >8 h of fasting, and >48 h without alcohol consumption and vigorous exercise. Following baseline measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, EKG, and blood work to ensure health status), participants were stratified by sex and randomized to CBD or placebo groups. Products were given in liquid form and contained medium-chain triglyceride oil. The CBD product contained 50 mg/mL CBD. Participants were instructed to consume 1mL of their product twice daily and were given enough product to last until their next laboratory visit. Psychometric data were collected at baseline and on days 30±3, 60±3, and 90±3. Perceived stress was assessed using the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and a 10-item Likert scale was used to measure perceived pain. Change from baseline was calculated for each measure, and ANOVA was used to determine differences between groups over time while adjusting for baseline values (α=0.05). Males and females were analyzed separately.



Results: There was a significant Group main effect in females for perceived stress (p=0.047), indicating perceived stress was lower those consuming CBD compared to placebo. No differences in perceived stress were found in males (p=0.954). There were no differences between the groups in terms of sleep quality (males: p=0.86; females: p=0.337) and perceived pain (males: p=0.109; females: p=0.449).



Conclusions: These findings show slightly differential psychometric responses to chronic CBD consumption in males and females. Females consuming CBD had lower perceived stress compared to placebo, while there were no differences in males, suggesting sex-specific effects of CBD. No differences were identified in sleep or pain. This may indicate products containing only CBD are not sufficient for sleep or pain reduction in healthy individuals. There may be a difference in the effects of CBD upon healthy individuals as compared to those with comorbidities.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Consumption of CBD may help improve stress in healthy adult females. Future investigations should assess the sex-specific differences in response to CBD products on various outcomes to further elucidate the effects of CBD dependent on sex. Furthermore, research should include more objective markers to measure stress levels, such as cortisol measurements in both healthy individuals and those with comorbidities.

Acknowledgements:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This abstract was made possible in part by Grant Number T32-GM081740 from NIH-NIGMS. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIGMS or the NIH. The authors would like to thank the sponsors CBDmd and Nutrasource for their support and contributions to this study.